Vanessa Carlton at the Living Room

Last night I had the pleasure of seeing a really great show in a rare intimate setting. Vanessa Carlton played an early show at NY’s famed “Living Room”. Her piano took up most of the tiny stage but her excellent voice and playing filled the room. It must be a joy for performers to play this venue because the sound is excellent. She played her most popular songs and tried out a few shiny new ones including one written with Linda (Pink-guilera) Perry.

It was probably a good idea for Vanessa to bring her own piano, since the L.R.’s house keys have seen better days. Her voice was so strong and pure it almost made me took for granted her excellent chops. Her piano playing while maybe not flawless seemed certainly effortless.

Standout tunes included “White Houses”, “San Francisco”, and, of course “A Thousand Miles” which she thanked for helping to get her “crib” (soon to be featured on MTV) and for putting her brother through college.

Vanessa is off soon on tour, opening for Stevie Nicks and wondered if her dressing like Ms. Nicks will weird-out the living legend. One can only hope.